Operation Christmas Child
Shoeboxes are back
Last year, Powell River residents sent 699 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to children in developing countries. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international humanitarian aid organization. ÔWith so much tragedy in the world you can feel so helpless," says Trudy Anderson, project coordinator for Powell River. "After traveling to Uruguay to hand out shoe boxes I was able to see how Operation Christmas Child assesses the situation by connecting with small local groups on the ground." Being sensitive to the local culture and requirements of the people is important and Samaritan's Purse focuses on providing basic needs such as clean water, disaster relief, medical care and educational help around the world, she adds.
Canada is just one of 11 countries that collect and distribute the shoeboxes. Since 1993, more than 70 million shoeboxes have been delivered to children in 138 countries.
"You can imagine the joy a child gets from opening a shoebox filled with school supplies, clothes, toys, and items that will help them learn and be healthy, says Anderson. "We are thankful to the people who filled a shoe box last year and for Valley Building Supply who generously shipped them to Vancouver."
Shoeboxes are now available at two locally owned and operated businesses--Your Dollar Store with More in Crossroads Village and at Valley Building Supplies in the Paradise Valley--as well as churches throughout the community.
"We are thrilled to be a part of this project again for the fifth year running and to offer customers discounted shoebox items such as toothbrushes, soap, notepads, pencils, and the usual toys that light up a child's face," says Eve Camenzind, local owner and operator of Your Dollar Store with More.
Sending your gift is simple: pick-up a shoebox at one of the above locations; choose the age of either a boy or girl to receive the shoebox; fill it with items that you think they could use and include $7 for shipping then drop it off at Your Dollar Store with More, Valley Building Supplies, or participating churches before November 12.
